Key hubs
Coonoor airport and railway station
- Airport
- Coimbatore International Airport (CJB), about 2 hours by road via the ghat road, traffic and weather dependent
- Railway station
- Coonoor (ONR) on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway; the nearest broad-gauge station is Mettupalayam (MTP), with Coimbatore Junction as the main railhead
- Getting around
- Hotel-arranged taxis and autorickshaws; local buses are cheap. The town is hilly, so a car is easiest for viewpoints.
How to reach Coonoor by air
The nearest major airport is Coimbatore International (CJB), about 2 hours by road via the ghat road, traffic and weather permitting. Taxis and hotel transfers are the usual way up; confirm timings with your hotel.
How to reach Coonoor by train
Coonoor station (ONR) is on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway between Mettupalayam (MTP) and Ooty (UAM). The nearest broad-gauge station is Mettupalayam, and Coimbatore Junction is the main railhead. Book heritage-train seats through official Indian Railways channels.
How to reach Coonoor by road
Coonoor is reached by the ghat road from Mettupalayam, about an hour below, and by road from Ooty, about 17 km away. Roads are winding, so allow extra time in rain and avoid night driving where possible.
Getting around Coonoor
Hotel-arranged taxis and autorickshaws cover most trips; local buses are cheap. The town is hilly, and viewpoints are 8 to 14 km out, so a hired car for a morning or full day is easiest.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Coonoor
- Choose a hotel in Upper Coonoor with car access to the door, and ask for a ground-floor room or cottage close to reception.
- Sim's Park, Highfield Tea Estate and Coonoor station are the easiest sights; Droog Fort is not suitable for most older travellers.
- For the toy train, ride the shorter Coonoor to Ooty section rather than the full line from Mettupalayam.
- Carry a warm layer and a rain jacket in all months, and avoid October and November if you are nervous about wet, winding roads.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.